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Lady Vols fall to UCLA in NCAA tourney opener, 89-77

UCLA players celebrate after Tennessee's Rennia Davis was unable to keep the ball in bounds, turning over possession during their NCAA tournament first-round game Saturday in College Park, Md. UCLA won 89-77.
UCLA players celebrate after Tennessee's Rennia Davis was unable to keep the ball in bounds, turning over possession during their NCAA tournament first-round game Saturday in College Park, Md. UCLA won 89-77. UCLA players celebrate after Tennessee's Rennia Davis was unable to keep the ball in bounds, turning over possession during their NCAA tournament first-round game Saturday in College Park, Md. UCLA won 89-77.

By Associated Press 4 min read

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – While Tennessee is left to ponder a rare early exit from the NCAA women’s basketball tournament and the future of its coach, UCLA remains in the hunt for another trip to the Sweet 16.

The Bruins put a rapid end to Tennessee’s 38th consecutive appearance in the tournament, blunting a second-half comeback bid and using an impressive performance by Michaela Onyenwere to secure an 89-77 victory Saturday in the first round of the Albany Regional.

After squeezing into the tournament with an at-large bid, the 11th-seeded Lady Volunteers erased a 17-point deficit before losing in the first round for the second time in school history. The only other time it happened was in 2009, when 12th-seeded Ball State beat fifth-seeded Tennessee 71-55.

Tennessee is the lone program to compete in every NCAA women’s basketball tournament since the event was first held in 1982. The Lady Vols finished 19-13, failing to reach 20 wins for the first time since the 1975-76 season.

“Losing doesn’t feel real good,” said coach Holly Warlick, who signed a three-year extension in August but could end up being forced to take a buyout worth approximately $690,000 if Tennessee chooses to move in another direction.